The township of Langa in Cape Town translates to “sun” in English. On June 14, 2025, bright sunshine beamed not only over Lord’s Cricket Ground but also upon Temba Bavuma, as he and his South African teammates lifted the coveted ICC World Test Championship (WTC) mace. Against all odds, and against an Australian XI with over 700 Test caps, the Proteas rose to the occasion and claimed a five-wicket victory in a pulsating final.
Australia, the defending champions, entered the contest with experience, pedigree, and the weight of expectations. As the clouds flirted with the London skies, it was South Africa’s determination—not their pedigree—that shone through. Even when the game appeared to slip from their hands, Bavuma’s side fought back, embodying the grit that has come to define this new generation of South African cricketers.
Bavuma’s leadership was central to that belief. He led not only with calmness and clarity but also with courage. When South Africa missed a crucial LBW review against Beau Webster, the momentum momentarily shifted to Australia. Yet the Proteas didn’t unravel. They rebounded with key breakthroughs—dismissing both Webster and Steve Smith—and went on to bowl Australia out for a modest total, losing the last five wickets for just 20 runs.
But then came the collapse. South Africa were bundled out for a paltry 138. Australia surged ahead once again, and with a lead of 281, seemed poised to defend their crown. However, South Africa’s pace attack responded with fire. Rabada and company ripped through the Australian top and middle order, reducing them to 73 for 7. The tail wagged, but South Africa still had a sliver of hope. They needed belief—and a hero.
They found both in Bavuma and Aiden Markram.
The final innings was less a chase and more a slow-burning thriller. Bavuma, resolute and calm, crafted a captain’s knock of 66 under immense pressure. But it was no ordinary innings. While batting on six, he pulled up with a hamstring injury. As he limped through the outfield during the physio’s visit, a big decision loomed: would he continue?
Batting coach Ashwell Prince later revealed,
“We had to make a big call—if he continues, how will it affect his running, Aiden’s rhythm? But both were adamant: the partnership was the key.”
And so, Bavuma batted on. In visible pain, he adjusted. He couldn’t run twos easily, but he rotated the strike. His low stance and shorter reach forced Australian bowlers to recalibrate lengths. Markram, standing tall at the other end, benefited from the variation. The contrast in their statures, the synchronicity in their approach—it unsettled even the most seasoned Australian bowlers.
Eventually, Bavuma fell to Pat Cummins. South Africa were nearly home. He could only watch from the balcony as the final acts unfolded. When Tristan Stubbs was dismissed by Starc, nerves returned. But Markram remained ice-cool. Kyle Verreynne then struck the winning runs—and a long, painful drought had finally ended.
Bavuma, unable to hold back tears, buried his face in his hands. His teammates erupted in celebration. A 27-year-long ICC trophy jinx had been broken. And it was Bavuma—the boy from Langa who once played street cricket—that led them there.
“I never pictured myself playing here at Lord’s. I could only fantasise about it,” he said during the presentation ceremony.
Fantasy turned reality. On the most hallowed ground in cricket, Temba Bavuma had his fairytale moment in the sun. And so did all of South Africa.
